Too much weather helm on port tack only

Any ideas on how to correct this. In 10 knots, I have a very strong weather helm on port tack only. Only a slight comfortable weather helm on starboard tack. Boat balanced with just two people sails in trim on a beat. I have been sailing for over 30 years and all boats have weather helm--this is just too much helm to be comfortable. Releasing the main does not help unless it is practically luffing. Rudders from 2008 boat do not seam to be adjustable. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Are you sure both rudders are locked down properly?

Of course both rudders on locked down. Both line up exactly when placed on top of each other. No Bends, warps, cracks, pieces missing etc. It is a very dramatic difference from one tack to the other.

If the rudders are locked down then it looks like you need to adjust the rake on one or both of your rudders. Rather than explain the process here read the assembly manual it goes thru the process.

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2001 H18 w/SX wings & spinnaker #16740 (purchased new)
1989 H18 w/SX wings #14565 (purchased new, sold 2000)
Would buy another if Hobie would build it.

The EZ-Lock rudder assembly on this model has no adjustment and nothing referenced in the manual. To adjust, one would have to file down the bottom of the housing where the rudder meets it to allow the bottom of the rudder to move forward. I imagine this would be only on the leeward rudder.

I am thinking that I should check to make sure the shrouds are the same length.

http://static.hobiecat.com/digital_asse ... manual.pdf

I had the same problem and found that the shape of the two rudders was very different. Take a straight edge lay it length wise starting in the center of the blade. Move it back and forth from the back of the rudder to the leading edge. Check the curvature between the two sides of the blade. Mine had a real concave section on one side of the blade on both rudders. I took some 60 grit sand paper to roughen up the area and filled it in with bondo. It took severa coats to get the shape the same on the two sides of the blade as well as a match between the two rudders. Clean up nice with some 120 sand paper and shoot some white plastic coat spay paint. After that the boat handled 100% better!

Good Luck

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06 getaway -- always remember, man with both feet in mouth have no leg to stand on.

+1.... Asymetrical foils.

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Foils are identical on both sides. I also measured the distance between the center of the rudder to the bottom tip of hull/keel before it curves up and they are about the same. Any other ideas?

swap the rudders left to right and see what happens?

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06 getaway -- always remember, man with both feet in mouth have no leg to stand on.

Are your shroud stays adjusted the same on each side? Did you make a hardware change on you rigging? One or two hole can make a difference in your mast position which can effect your helm....

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H18 '85
H18 '89 "Knotty Passion"
H20 '96 "20/20 Vision"
Fleet 259 Central Coast California